Electrically operated gun



Feb. 8, 1944. G, R SEVERANCE 2,340,991

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED GUN Filed May 25, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 .{NVENTOR@Zni E. fierefi ryce.

Feb. 8, 1944. SEV RANCE 2,340,991

ELEG'IRICALLY OPERATED GUN Filed May 25, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR6 22.77 7? ars/"4270a,

A BY

Feb. 8, 1944.

G. R. SEVERANCE ELEGTRICALLY OPERATED GUN Filed May 25, 1942 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Q A j IN VENTOR magazine 19.

Patented Feb. 8, 1944 2,340,991 I ELECTRICALLY OPERATED .GUN

Glen R. Severance, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Eureka Vacuum CleanerCompany, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application May 25,1942, Serial No. 444,296

8 Claims. (Cl. 89-13) This invention relates to motor-operated guns andhas particular reference to a motor-operated magazine type sun which isconstructed and arranged to shoot flare shells and the like.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a magazine type of gunwith a manually controlled motorized unit for operating the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a motorized unit for a gunof this type which is adapted to operate the gun to discharge but.

a single shell upon each operation of the unit.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from aconsideration of the following specification taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings of which there are. p

three sheets and in which:

Fig. 1 is anelevational view, with parts shown in section and othersbroken away, of a magazine type gun and motorized unit thereforembodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view taken in a plane along the line 2-2 of Fig.1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a right-hand elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig.1;

Fig. 4 is a left-hand elevational View of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the coupling between themotorized unit and the gun and illustrating one of the switches forcontrolling the motor circuit;

Fig. 6 is a reduced elevational view of the switch and controllingmechanism therefor illustrated in Fig. 5 with the coupling omitted;

Fig. '7 is a circuit diagram for the motor; and I Fig. 8 is a view of amodified formof circuit diagram.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, a magazine type gun adapted forshooting flare shells is illustrated and comprises a rotary magazine Inhaving a plurality of shell carrying tubes 12, the magazine beingsuitably mounted upon a shaft l4 carried by suitable frame members l6and I8 which are connected together by several bolts such as 20. The gunfurther includes a mounting plate 22 carrying a short barrel 24 intoregistry with which the shell carrying tubes l2 are-successively broughtby rotation of the One of the tubes [2 is broken away in Fig. 1 andillustrates a shell 26 therein; Each tube I2 is adapted to bring theshell 28 carried thereby into firing position to be discharged by afiring mechanism which includes r a hammer 28 having a firing pin 30and-piv otally mounted at 32 on the fram member 18.

A pin 38 engaging apart to of the hammer 28 and acted on by a spring 34arranged in the cap 36 is adapted to move the hammer 28 so as to causethe firing pin 30 thereof to explode the firing chargeof the shell 26.Thehammer 28 is retracted by a rotary cam 42 having a plurality of camsurfaces 44 thereon, the hammer 28 being provided with a finger 46 whichcooperates with thecam surfaces 44, upon rotation thereof about the axisof th shaft 48 on which the member 42 is mounted for moving the hammer28 in a clockwise direction about its pivot 32. and against the tensionof the spring 3 3. As soon asthe finger 46 rides off the top end of oneof the cam surfaces, the spring 3Q.

will forcibly bring the firingpin into contact with the explosive chargein the shell 26 and discharge the same. v

' The shaft 48 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings and as hereillustrated is driven through a coupling 50 from the final drivegear '52of a speed reducing mechanism. The gear 52 through a suitable train ofgears 54, 56, and 58 and a a gear (not shown) meshing with the gear 58anddirectly connected to the shaft of the motor 62 isadapted to bedriven by the motor but at w a reduced speed when the circuit thereforis operative.

. 48 and cammember 42 in aclockwise direction looking at Fig. 2, one ofthe pins 64 in engagement with one of the slots 68 in the wheel 66 willturn thewheel through an arc of 60 and turn the magazine sufiicient soas to bring the next tube l2 andshell26 therein into alignment with thebarrel 24 and the pin 30 of the hammer.

The motor circuit is closed for a length of time sufficient for the cam42 to turn'120 about its axis and the cooperation between the pins 62 1thereon and the slots 68 in the wheel 66 is sufficient to turn the wheel66 andthe magazine It sixty degrees on its axis.

Through the mechanism hereinafter described the magazine is turned 60each time the motor is operated. There are three cam surfaces Mon thecam42 and the cam surfaces 44? are arranged so that at the end of eachturning movement of the magazine lflythe finger 46 of the hammer 28 willride ofi one of the cam surfaces 44 and discharge the shell 26 which hasbeen brought into registry with the .barrel 44.

The motorized unit which includes the gear train and motor previouslydescribed is indicated generally at 12 in Fig. 3 and is bolted directlyto the frame member I8 of the gun. This unit also includes the switchesand relays of the circuit illustrated in Fig. 7. The motor circuitincludes a magnetic brake indicated diagrammatically at 14 which isreleased when the motor circuit is closed, the brake functioning to stopthe motor as soon as the circuit opens and a normally open switch 73.Through the brake 14 one side of the motor circuit is grounded. Normallyopen switch 18 forms part of a main relay which includes 'a coil 30arranged in a starting circuit. The positive side of a source of currentis indicated at 82, the other side being grounded, and a manuallyoperated normally open switch is indicated at 84 an'dinc'luded in thestarting circuit. The motor 62 is connected through the coil 86 of arelay to the'de'ad side of the switch 18'. Closing of the switch 84 willclose the starting circuit which includes the source 82, and thenormally closed switch 88 and will energize the coil 80 which operatesto close the switch 78, thereby closing the motor circuit from thesource 82 through the switch 78 and coil 86 to the motor 62, the otherside of which is always grounded, thereby causing the motor to beginoperating. Energization of the coil 86 operates to open the switch '88in the starting circuit and to close the switch 96, thereby breaking thestarting circuit initially established by closing of the switch 84, ifthe switch 8 3 is'still being held closed, and locking out the startingcircuit.

As soon as the switch I8 closes, a control circuit through the camoperated switch 16 and resistance 94 is established, this circuit beinggrounded through the coil 89 of the relay which includes the switch 78,thereby holding the switch l3 closed even though the'switch 84 mighthave been opened by releasing the same. The switch 84 is a makeandbrea'k type or switch which is adapted to remain closed'as long as itis held closed but upon release is adapted automatically to open. Theswitch 16 is adapted to be opened momentarily by one or" the cams '96carried by a'member 98 which'is driven by and rotates with the motor.The member 98 as illustrated in Fig. may be fixed to rotate with thefinal drive gear 52 of the speedreduction transmission and the movablecontact of the-switch 'l6'is positioned so as to be engaged by'one ofthe cams-9B upon rotation'of the member '98 for breaking the circuitthrough the switch 96, resistance 94 and coil 80. As soon as thiscircuit is broken-by one of the cams 96, which'occurs-after the member88 has rotated 120, the circuit through the coil 80 of the main relaywill be opened as a result of which the'switch 78 will open, therebybreaking the circuit'through themotor 62 as a result of which the motorwill stop.

The short circuit I60 around the "coil 86 is closed before the-switch 16opens, the movable contact of theswitch 1B also fun'ctio'ning asthemovable contact of a switch Hi2. This short circ'uit'l'ilil and switchI02 is =provided'so'thatin the event the member 98 stops with one of theearns 95 holding the switch open, upon subsequent closing of :the switch84 a circuit through the motor will be established, Whereas'ifthis shortcircuit [Bil andswitch'llllwere not provided it is'possiblethat if themember 98 stopped with the cam 96 holding the switch 16 open, subsequentclosing of the switch 84 would not establish a circuit through themotor.

As previously indicated, the switch I02 closes before the switch 16opens so that a circuit through the motor always will be provided,either through the short circuit I 00 or the coil 86, while the openingof the switch 16 will break the circuit through the coil 80 of the mainrelay thereby opening the switch 78. Likewise, as soon as the switch 18opens, the coil 86 will be deenergized, which, if the switch 84 is open,will permit the switch 90 to open and the switch 88 to close which wouldreposition the switches for starting the next cycle of operations.

In the event that the switch 84 is maintained closed by the operator andto prevent the coil 89 from holding the switch 18 closed after switch 16has been opened by one of the cams of member 98, the closing of theswitch to establishes a circult through a coil M4 which functions tohold the switch Sil closed and switch 88 open as long as the switch 84is closed so that when switch 16 opens, switch 18 must be open. Thus,when the switch 15 is opened by one of the cams '95 if the switch 85 isclosed, the coil 88 will be de-energized and the opening of the switch78 will open the motor circuit. The coil I04 and switch 93 comprises aself-energized locking relay. It will be observed that as soon as thestarting switch M .is closed that there is an electrical connection fromthe source 82 to the motor which parallels the main connection and whichtherefore divides the motor current between the two circuits. in orderto insure that the opening of the switch 88 will be positive, theresistance 94 is incorporated in the circuit between the switch88and'the switch Hi and which'resistance 94 forces the greater part of themotor current to flow through the electrical path which includes thecoil-8c of the locking relay. If, as previously indicated, the motorstops very quickly after the power is interruptedand one of the cams 96which operates the cam switch 16 may not'override far enough to insurereclosing of the switch 16, the switch I32 will be closed and will shortcircuit the coil 86 which will allow the switch 88 to remain closeduntil the switch 102 opens and the switch 76 closes. In this way thecoil 80 will remain energized if the switch 84 is closed until the cam96 has-moved sufiicient to permit the switch 76 to close'which then willclose the circuit through the coil 86,

switch T6, resistance 9li,and coil for the purpose-of maintaining theswitch it closed.

From the foregoing it will be evident that when the manually operatedswitch 84 is closed, the

motorized unit will operate to advance a fresh shell into position forfiring and will actuate the firing mechanism for discharging such shell.Thereupon-the motor ceases operating. -If it is desired to fire anothershell it will be necessary to release 'theswitch 34 in order todc-energize -the-coil 14 so as to'permit the switch-88 to re- -close sothat when the switch '84 is subsequently closed anew cycle of operationswill be instituted.

A modified-form ofcircuit isillustrated in-Fig. 8 and includes the-motor52 and a magnetic brake 76. The motor circuit is controlled by a normabiy open switch I 7 3 of a relay including-a coil H30 similar to theswitch 18 and coil of Fig. 7, the switch I78 --.being adapted to closethe circuit through the motor 62 with a source of current such as 82.The manually-operated switch 53B is provided for manually controllingthe starting circuit. The switch I30 isso designed thatat -of a second,whereupon the switch contact would then open itself by some suitabledelayed mechanism. Closing of the switch I39 will energize the coil I80thereby closing the switch H3 and establishing a circuit through themotor. A cam controlled switch I16 of the same construction as theswitch It is provided and is normally closed, this switch I75 beingadapted to be opened by cams 96 carried by rotary member 98, asexplained in connection with the control circuit illustrated in Fig. 7.The closing of the switch I13 will establish the circuit through themotor and will also establish a control circuit through the switch I16andresistance 94 and coil I80 for the purpose of maintaining the switchI18 closed due to the fact that the-circuit initially established by theclosing of the switch I30 will be opened due to the fact that thisswitch will automatically open itself. After the member 98 has rotated120 one of the cams 98 will open the switch I16 thereby de-energizingthe coil I80 and opening the switch I18 thereby breaking the circuitthrough-the motor.

While the invention has been described with some detail, it is to beunderstood that the description is for the purpose of illustration onlyand is not definitive of the limits of the inventive idea. The right isreserved to make such changes in the details of construction andarrangement of parts as will fall within the purview of the attachedclaims.

I claim:

1. A magazine type gun comprising a shell motor operatively connected tosaid magazine moving means and firing mechanism for actuating the samein the order named, an electric circuit therefor and including anormally open switch, a control circuit operative for controlling theopening of said switch after it has been closed including the coil of arelay, of which said switch forms a part, and a normally closed camoperated switch, a part driven by said motor being arranged to open saidcam operated switch after a predetermined period of operation of themotor, said control circuit being arranged in parallel with said motorand connected to said first mentioned circuit between said motor andsaid normally open switch, and a starting circuit which includes saidcoil of said relay and a manually operated normally open switch, saidrelay coil being energized upon closing of said starting circuit toclose said first-mentioned switch which closes the circuit through themotor and the control circuit, and said cam operated switch upon beingopened functioning to open the control circuit through said relay coiland de-energize said coil, if the starting circuit is open, to permitsaid first-mentioned switch to open, thereby to open the motor circuit.

2. A magazine type gun comprising a shell magazine, firing mechanism,means for moving said magazine for advancing a shell to firing position,and means for operating said firing mechanism and magazine moving meanscomprising a motor operatively connected to said magazine moving meansand firing mechanism for actuating the same in theorder named, an

electric circuit therefor and including a normally open switch, acontrol circuit Operative for controlling the opening of said switchafter ithas been closed including the coil of a relay, of which saidswitch forms a part, and a normally closed cam operated switch,-a partdriven by said motor being arranged to open said cam operated switchafter said motor has moved said magazine sulficient to advance a shellto firing position and has operated said firing mechanism, said controlcircuit being arranged in parallel with said motor and connected to saidfirst mentioned circuit between said motor and said normally openswitch, and a starting circuit which includes said coil of said relayand a manually operated normally open switch adapted momentarily toclose the starting circuit, said relay coil being energized upon closingof said starting circuit to close said first-mentioned switch thereby toeffect operation of said motor and to close the control circuit, andsaid cam operated switch upon being opened functioning to open thecontrol circuit through said relay coil and de-energize said coil topermit said first-mentioned switch to open, thereby to open the motorcircuit.

3. A magazine type gun comprising a shell magazine, firing mechanism,means for moving said magazine for advancing a shell to firing position,and means for operating said firing mechanism and magazine moving meanscomprising a motor operatively connected to said magazine moving meansand firing mechanism for actuating the same in the order named, anelectric circuit therefor and including a normally open switch, acontrol circuit operative for controlling the opening of said switchafter it has been closed including the coil of a relay, of which saidswitch forms a part, and a normally closed cam operated switch, a ,partdriven by said motor being arranged to open said cam operated switchafter a limited period of operation of the motor, said control circuitbeing arranged in parallel with said motor and connected to said firstmentioned circuit between said motor and said normally open switch, anda starting circuit adapted to be momentarily closed and including the.coil of said relay and a manually operated normally open switch, saidrelay coil being energized upon closing of said starting circuit toclose said firstmentloned switch which closes the circuit hrough themotor and the control circuit which functions to maintain said relaycoil energized and said first-mentioned switch closed, and said camoperated switch upon being opened as aforesaid functioning to open thecontrol circuit through said relay coil and de-energize said coil topermit said first-mentioned switch to open.

4. A. magazine type gun comprising a shell magazine, firing mechanism,means for moving said magazine for advancing a shell to firing position,and means for operating said firing mechanism and magazine moving meanscomprising a motor, an electric circuit therefor and including anormallyopen switch, a control circuit operative for controlling theopening of said switch after it has been closed including the coil of arelay, of which said switch forms a part, and a normally closed camoperated switch, a part driven by said motor, after a limited period ofoperation thereof being arranged to open said cam operatedv switch, saidcontrol circuit being arranged in parallel with said motor and connectedtosaid first mentioned circuit between said motor and said normally openswitch, and a starting circuitadapted tobe momentarily closed andincluding the coil of said relay and a manually operated normally openswitch, said relay coil being energized upon closing of said startingcircuit to close said first-mentioned switch which closes the circuitthrough the motor and the control circuit which functions to maintainsaid relay coil energized and said firstmentioned switch closed, andsaid cam operated switch upon being opened as aforesaid functioning toopen the control circuit through said relay coil and de-energize saidcoil to permit said first-mentioned switch to open, said manuallyoperated switch and cam operated switch being included in anothercircuit which includes said motor and which is in parallel with saidfirstmentioned circuit and which is provided with a resistance betweensaid two switches.

5. A magazine type gun comprising a shell magazine, firing mechanism,means for moving said magazine for advancing a shell to firing position,and means for operating said firing mechanism and magazine moving meanscomprising a motor, an electric circuit therefor and including anormally open switch, a control circuit operative for controlling theopening of said switch after it has been closed including the coil of arelay, of which said switch forms a part, and a normally closed camoperated switch, a part driven by said motor being arranged to open saidcam-operated switch after a pre-determined period of operation of themotor, said control circuit being arranged in parallel with said motorcircuit and including said normally open switch and connected to saidfirst mentioned circuit between said motor and said normally openswitch, a starting circuit which includes the coil of said relay, amanually operated normally open switch means for automatically openingsaid starting circuit immediately after it has been closed by saidmanually operated switch, said relay coil being energized upon closingof said starting circuit to close said first-mentioned switch whichcloses the circuit through the motor and the control circuit, and saidcam operated switch upon being opened functioning to open the controlcircuit through said relay coil and de-energize said coil to permit saidfirst-mentioned switch to open.

.6. A magazine type gun comprising a shell magazine, firing mechanism,means for moving said magazine for advancing a shell to firing position,and means for operating said firing mechanism and magazine moving meanscomprising a motor, an electric circuit therefor and including anormally open switch, a control circuit operative for controlling theopening of said switch after it has been closed including the coil of arelay, of which said switch forms a part, and anormallyclosed camoperated switch,

a part driven by said motor being arranged to open said cam operatedswitch after a predetermined period of operation of the motor, saidcontrol circuit being arranged in parallel with said motor and connectedto said first mentioned circuit between said motor and said normallyopen switch, and a starting circuit which includes the coil of saidrelay, a manually operated normally open switch and a switch which isnormally closed, said relay coil beingenergized upon closing of saidstarting circuit by said manually operated switch to close saidfirst-mentioned switch which closes the circuit through the motor andthe control circuit, said control circuit including a coil which isenergized when the control circuit is closed and operates to open the 1normallyclosed switch of said starting circuit and .to close a circuitthrough a locking relay which functions to maintain saidstarting-circuit-normally-closed-switch open as long as said manuallycontrolled switch of said starting circuit is closed, and said camoperated switch upon being opened functioning to open the controlcircuit through said relay coil and de-energize said coil to permit saidfirst-mentioned switch to open.

7. A magazine type gun comprising a shell magazine, firing mechanism,means for moving said magazine for advancing a shell to firing position,and means for operating said firing mechanism and magazine moving meanscomprising a motor, an electric circuit therefor and including anormally open switch, a control circuit operative for controlling theopening of said switch after it has been closed including the coil of arelay, of which said switch forms a part, and a normally closed camoperated switch, a part driven by said motor being arranged to open saidcam operated switch after a predetermined period of operation of themotor, said control circuit being arranged in parallel with said motorand connected to said first mentioned circuit between said motor andsaid normally open switch, and a starting circuit which includes thecoil of said relay, a manually operated normally open switch and aswitch which is normally closed, said relay coil being energized uponclosing of said starting circuit by said manually operated switch toclose said first-mentioned switch which closes the circuit through themotor and the control circuit, said control circuit including a coilwhich is energized when the control c'ircuitis closed and operates toopen the normally closed switch of said starting circuit and to close acircuit through a locking relay which functions to maintain saidstarting circuit normally closed switch open as long as said manuallycontrolled switch of said starting circuit is, closed, and said camoperated switch upon being opened functioning to open the controlcircuit through said relay coil and de-energize said coil to permit saidfirstmentioned switch to open, and a short circuit around said coil ofsaid control circuit and between said first-mentioned switch and saidcam operated switch and adapted to be closed when said cam operatedswitch is open so as to prevent energization of said coil of saidcontrol circuit and the opening of the starting circuit thereby whensaid cam operated switch is open.

'8. A magazine type gun comprising a shell magazine, firing mechanism,means for moving said magazine for advancing a shell to firing position,and "means for operating said firing mechanism and magazine moving meanscomprising a motor, an electric circuit therefor and including anormally open switch, a control circuit operative for controlling theopening of said switch after it has been closed including the coil of amain relay, of which said switch forms a part, a normally closed camoperated switch, the coil of a locking relay and a part driven by saidmotor being arranged to open said cam operated switch after apredetermined period of operation of'the motor, said control circuitbeing arranged in parallel with said motor circuit and connected to saidfirst mentioned circuit between said motor and said normally openswitch, and closed by said first-mentioned switch, and a startingcircuit which includes the coil of :said main relay, a manually operatednormally open switch and the switch of said locking relay, said mainrelay coil being energized upon closing of said starting circuit toclose said first-mentioned switch and the motor and control circuits,the coil of said locking relay, upon closing of said control circuit,operating to open the switch thereof which thereby opens the startingcircuit, and said cam operated switch upon being opened functioning toopen the control circuit through said relay coil and de-energize saidcoil to permit said first-mentioned switch to open, thereby to open themotor and 5 control circuits. 1

GLEN R. SEVERKNCE.

